All-Share Index Gains 1.92%, Closes at N84,640.89

The Nigerian equities surged by 1.92% on Monday as the Exchange sustained its bullish run that has seen several bank stocks hit N1 trillion market capitalisation.

The All-share index grew by 1.92% to close at N84,640.89 index points while the market capitalisation rose by N874 billion. The year-to-date gains also strengthened to 13.20 per cent from 11.06 per cent from the previous trading session.

The most traded stocks and thus drivers of the day’s market were the stocks of Transcorp Plc, United Bank for Africa, Zenith Bank, Access Holdings and MTN Nigeria whose share price stayed flat despite 2,832,680 units worth N791.554m being exchanged in 419 deals.

Transaction volume for the day rose to 807.51 million, compared to the previous trading session’s 600.63 million units with the value of the traded stocks improving to N11.03bn from N9.097bn. The shares were traded in 13,647 deals executed. The number of stocks traded by the close of the session stood at 127.

Market Breadth improved to 68 gainers and eight losers.

The stocks of Chams Holdings, Daar Communications, Axa Mansard, PZ Cussons, Sovereign Insurance Plc and Tantalizer Plc appreciated by 10 per cent each to close at N2.53, N0.99, N6.49, N32.45, N0.66, and N0.55 per units, respectively.

Chams which led the gainers’ chart, over the weekend announced that its fintech subsidiary, Chams Switch, has partnered with Chinese digital payment solution, UnionPay, to boost international payments for UnionPay cards issued by banks in Nigeria.

According to a statement from Chams, the partnership will reinforce collaboration among businesses and traders, engaged in global commerce as it offers a cost-effective alternative for international trade, particularly with a focus on transactions involving China and the Southeast Asia region.

The losers include Abbey Mortgage Bank Plc, Julius Berger, Custodian, Africa Prudential, FBN Holdings, Champion, ABC Transport and United Capital which lost 9.52 per cent, 3.54 per cent, 3.45 per cent, 2.78 per cent, 1.79 per cent, 1.27 per cent, 1.05 per cent and 0.39 per cent, respectively.

Volume and Value drivers of the day’s trading were led by stocks of Transcorp, AIICO, Nascon Allied Industries and Zenith Bank.

On the bullish trend of the market, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Parthian Partners, Oluseye Olusoga, said that the sustained party was predicated on the inflow of foreign investment.

He said, “We haven’t seen a lot of foreign investors in the market.  A lot of our stocks are cheap now given the devaluation that has happened to the naira. If we can solve our FX problems, wherein foreign investors feel that they can take their money out easily, then I expect them to pile in because, in comparison to other emerging markets, we are relatively cheap but if you are just looking at it based on Nigerian and local factors, I think this rally is due for a significant pullback before we decide whether we are continuing on this trajectory or not.

“At this point, I’m cautiously optimistic except if our FX situation changes significantly. If the FX situation changes, I expect a significant rally because like I said earlier, we are relatively cheap compared to other emerging markets.”